quite sometimes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'quite sometimes' is not correct and should not be used in written English.
A phrase such as 'occasionally' or 'from time to time' can be used instead. For example: I take a break from work occasionally to relax.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The problem with the internet is that our children are all online and they're using YouTube and they're searching for videos and the rest of it and there's a danger that they can stumble across really quite, sometimes hardcore legal pornography".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Sometimes it was quite funny, sometimes it was quite thought-provoking.

The New York Times

It's quite strange sometimes.

The New York Times

She can be quite scary sometimes, Arabella.

Independent

The woman usually feels better quite quickly, sometimes within hours.

The Guardian

I can get quite melancholy, sometimes, thinking about this.

The Guardian - Opinion

In Rainbow, I come off stage quite confused sometimes.

The Guardian - Music

"I know – we're quite kind sometimes, aren't we?

The Guardian - Music

I should have, because love can be quite cold sometimes.

The New Yorker

The fluid pressures can become quite high, sometimes almost double the normal hydrostatic gradient.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I appreciate the reasons for security being there, but it's quite difficult sometimes.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "quite sometimes" in formal writing. Opt for more standard alternatives like "occasionally" or "sometimes" for clearer communication.

Common error

A common mistake is to assume "quite" can directly modify "sometimes". Remember that "quite" usually modifies adjectives or adverbs directly, and "quite sometimes" doesn't follow this pattern. Use "quite often" or simply "sometimes" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite sometimes" functions as an adverbial modifier, attempting to indicate frequency. However, it's considered non-standard. As Ludwig AI reports, the phrase is not correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "quite sometimes" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI confirms its non-standard nature. While the intention is to express moderate frequency, it's best to use alternatives such as "sometimes", "occasionally", or "quite often", depending on the desired nuance. Given its rarity and grammatical issues, it should be avoided in formal writing. The contexts where it appears are varied, but the message is clear: prioritize clarity and correctness by using standard alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occasionally

Replaces the phrase with a single word that conveys the meaning of 'from time to time'.

from time to time

Offers a common idiomatic expression meaning 'at intervals'.

sometimes

Simplifies the phrase by removing "quite", resulting in a more standard expression.

fairly often

Suggests a moderate frequency, similar to 'quite' modifying 'sometimes' in intent.

quite often

Reverses the order and uses the correct form, making the meaning "frequently".

at times

A more concise way to say 'sometimes'.

on occasion

Emphasizes specific instances rather than regular intervals.

every so often

Indicates irregular but repeated occurrences.

now and then

Similar to 'from time to time', but slightly more informal.

periodically

Implies occurrences at somewhat regular intervals.

FAQs

Is "quite sometimes" grammatically correct?

No, "quite sometimes" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. A better alternative is to use "quite often" or simply "sometimes" depending on the intended meaning.

What does "quite sometimes" mean?

While not grammatically standard, "quite sometimes" is likely intended to mean "fairly often" or "occasionally". However, it's best to use a clearer and more accepted phrase.

What can I say instead of "quite sometimes"?

You can use alternatives like "occasionally", "from time to time", or "fairly often" to convey a similar meaning more correctly.

Is there a difference between "quite often" and "sometimes"?

Yes, "quite often" implies a higher frequency than "sometimes". "Quite often" suggests something happens regularly, while "sometimes" suggests it happens infrequently.